Monte Cristo Awards honor Everett’s best-tended properties

When Steve and Laurie Skorney moved into their 1907 home in 1990, it needed a lot of work, inside and out.

Over the course of the past 20 years, however, they’ve turned their turn-of-the-century starter home into a gem, inside and out.

The Skorneys already have been awarded a Pride of the Neighborhood Monte Cristo Award from the city of Everett for their efforts to improve their home’s exterior.

Thursday night, however, the couple, both in their mid-50s, will accept another Monte Cristo: the Marian Krell Award.

Formerly known as the director’s award, it is the highest curb-appeal honor the city gives.

Named after one of the creators of the Monte Cristo Awards program, the Marian Krell Award goes to homeowners who have been awarded previously but who continue to take exceptional care of their property, said Wendy McClure with the city of Everett Office of Neighborhoods.

Where crumbling shingles once hung on the Skorney home, new, beautifully painted siding now shines in a custom mossy-olive-green-beige hue the Skorneys created with help from Hatloes of Everett.

The Skorneys played off the color with white trim, plus a deep purple accent color on the shutters and front door.

They also added a new lawn and roof and, more recently, a concrete paver patio.

White picket fencing creates a secluded side yard and their landscaping is extensive.

“We’ve always been working on the yard,” Steve Skorney said. “In 20 years, we’ve been able to grow some landscaping trees and shrubs.”

Steve Skorney said an increasing number of properties in his neighborhood have been converted from rentals into owner-occupied homes.

He’s also noticed their prized paint color showing up on other homes.

That’s a recognition all its own, said Skorney, who used to paint homes in college.

He’s not surprised. After they completed their paint job, they started giving out paint swatches to all the folks walking by who asked about the color.

Steve Skorney, a long-range planner for Snohomish County, and Laurie Skorney, who works the switchboard at Providence Regional Medical Center, are continuing their quest for quaint.

They’ve already planted 100 Skagit Valley tulips bulbs ready to pop up come spring.

Sarah Jackson: 425-339-3037, sjackson@heraldnet.com.

Monte Cristo Awards

The city of Everett will recognize residents and business owners, 60 in all, for taking exceptional care of their properties at the annual Monte Cristo Award ceremony Thursday night.

Properties from neighborhoods across the city will be honored in three categories: Pride of the Neighborhood, Rejuvenation and Transformation, and Neighborhood Friendly Business.

If you’d like to nominate someone in your neighborhood for next year’s awards, forms will be available in early 2011. See www.everettwa.org or contact Wendy McClure at wmcclure@ci.everett.wa.us or 425-257-8717 with questions.

2010 Monte Cristo Award Winners

Bayside:

Rodhney Tull

Horace L. and Patricia Carrell

Christopher Roberts

Jim and Mary Testerman

Kisimul Manor, Jim and Kristie McNeil

Boulevard Bluffs:

Wendell and Betty Browning

Nancy and Steve Middleton

Rodney and Kelly York

Cascade View: